Re: Defense of Natural Law in Nazi Germany
Fr: Mit brennender Sorge (With burning concern) "On the Church and the German Reich" -- encyclical by Pope Pius XI drafted by Archbishop Michael von FAULHABER of Munich (who had a one-on-one talk with Hitler in 1935)
# 29. "... To hand over the MORAL LAY to man's SUBJECTIVE OPINION, which changes at times, instead of anchoring it in the HOLY WILL of the ETERNAL GOD and His commandments, is to open wide every door to the forces of destruction of the ETERNAL PRINCIPLES of an OBJECTIVE MORALITY, which elements CONSCIENCE ennobles every department & organization of life, is a SIN against the destiny of a NATION, a sin whom bitter fruit will poison future generations."
re: "confusion of right and utility"
# 30. "... what is morally indefensible, can never contribute to the GOOD of the people"
-- "Nothing can be USEFUL, if it's not at the same time morally GOOD." (Cicero, De Off. ii. 30).
re: universality of human rights
"... the basic fact that man as a PERSON possesses rights he holds FROM GOD, & which any collectivity must protect against denial, suppression or neglect."
re: right to religious expression
# 31. "The believer has the ABSOLUTE RIGHT to profess his Faith and live according to its dictates. Laws which impede his profession and practice of Faith are against NATURAL LAW."
NB: This is the FIRST TIME HUMAN RIGHTS was explicitly mentioned by a Pople.
